Education CS Fred Matiang’i has launched the form one selection for the 2016 KCPE candidates, who will be joining high school next year.

Matiang’i has said that the transition rate from class 8 to form one this year has gone up by 2 per cent as a result of infrastructure development.

Early this month when he announced the results of the 2016 KCPE exams, Matiang’i had stated that Pupils who score over 400 marks, whether from public or private schools will be able to join national schools of their choice.

Form One students will be expected to report to their respective schools on January 9, 2017 and not in February as the tradition has been.

The Education CS also announced that there was 98% compliance with the fees structure guidelines this year but has at the same time cautioned corrupt head teachers against malpractices saying that his ministry will not allow them to do business “in our schools and with our children”.

Matiang’i particularly singled out a school in Nakuru, where the head teacher has made it mandatory for parents seeking to have their children to join the institution to purchase mattresses at a specific shop of his choice, whereby the price is more than double the market rate.

“It’s first primitive and secondly illegal” Matiang’i said, adding that those who do not adhere to the school’s guidelines will also be dealt with.

The government will from next year pay examination fees for all candidates both in public or private schools.